FEBRUARY 2021 RACIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGE MONTH SPONSORED BY THE RACIAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WILMETTE

Every Monday in February, an email will go out to the congregation with resources and links to a particular category/theme related to Racial Justice. We present this month of challenges as only one of many steps on a long journey to raise our own Awareness, build Relationships and grow in our Commitment as a Church to dismantling the sin of racism and hastening the day when justice will truly be equal for everyone. We hope you will interact with the resources presented each day, or as your schedule allows.

Monday, February 15, 2021 Poetry, Prose, and Essays Rhashell Hunter, Director of Racial Equality and Women's Intercultural Ministries at PCUSA, writes that black history records "a journey of a people who, despite the contradictions, unfairness, inequity, and disparities, just keep getting back up, stepping up, standing out and going forward despite it all." Follow this link to read her reflection on Black History month 2021. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021  History We Didn't Learn in School The real story behind African American Spirituals: Far more than just work songs for African American slaves, these sacred songs usually carried dual meanings, hidden information, and the goal of escaping slavery. Additionally, the question arises: who should sing these pieces? Only people of color? Please click here to find out more… 

Wednesday, February 17, 2021 Family, Kids, and Youth Reading for Racial Justice – Focus on Fiction with non-white protagonists. “Being intentional about the books we choose to read with our children can help them identify with all kinds of people and help counteract the damaging message that whiteness is normative.” - Lindley Traynor, Director of Children and Family Ministry. Click here to read Lindley’s message about the importance of reading with and for our children and how to develop our home libraries with a focus on diversity. Click here for this week’s recommended titles. All choices center on Black characters and almost all are the work of Black authors and illustrators.   Youth bring a powerful voice to Racial Justice activism.   Click below for a weekly link to an article about teens working for racial justice.  These stories will also be shared by Youth Director, Scott McElhenie, at the Tower youth gatherings this month. Please click this link to access the article. 

Thursday, February 18, 2021 Today's Leading African American Voices Stacy Abrams is an American politician and activist, lawyer, and author. Over the past decade, her name has become synonymous with voting rights as she organized a movement in Georgia (Fair Fight Action) that boosted voter turn-out in the state, resulting in Joe Biden’s winning the Presidential election in 2020, thereby turning a traditionally Republican state blue. Biden’s victory was followed by the January election of two Democratic senators from the state, giving Democrats control over the US Senate for the first time in a decade. Running for office in her home state of Georgia, Stacy Abrams came to national attention in 2018 when she made history as the first African American female gubernatorial nominee for a major political party. Although she lost the highly contested race to now Governor Brian Kemp, her campaign turned out more voters than any other Democrat in Georgia history, including former President Barack Obama. In February 2019, Abrams became the first Black woman to deliver a response to the State of the Union address. And her reputation has been further enhanced by her 2021 nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in the 2020 election.  Please click here to learn more about Ms. Abrams.

Friday, February 19, 2021 Recent Accounts of Racial Inequities In most American families, “The Talk” has traditionally referred to a parent/child discussion about sex, protection, and physical and emotional maturity. However, in Black families, there is a second “Talk” that parents have with their children that is equally…if not even more important. That talk is a discussion about how their children should conduct themselves when confronted or approached by authority figures (typically the police) and how to de-escalate a potentially dangerous situation and return home safely. Please click here to learn how Black parents share with their children essential life lessons through "The Talk."

Saturday, February 20, 2021 Call to Action Subscribe to an email that gives a voice to the many diverse experiences in the African-American community. Anti-Racism Daily is a daily free email subscription that acts as a clearinghouse for critical current events related to racism and systemic oppression. It pairs current events with historical context and provides personal reflections on the persistence of racism in the U.S. Included is a Take Action section where you can participate in the call for equity and justice. Click this link to subscribe Anti-Racism Daily | Daily newsletter curated by Nicole Cardoza

Sunday, February 21, 2021 Grounded in The Word Humanity is made in the image of God, male and female, of every race and people. We are all therefore image-bearers of God, with equal worth, value, and dignity. And yet our differences are also valuable. God loves variety and diversity. Racism falsely proclaims that difference is negative, rather than evidence of God’s abundant creativity. Five years ago, our national church published a powerful and compelling statement, Facing Racism, that delves into the biblical and theological rationale for the urgent work of racial justice. Please follow the link for a brief excerpt.